The Labor enquirer., 1887-06-04
WORKERS, AHoY!
IRON HOLDERS UNION,
No. IO5 I. NJ. u. or ~. A.
LEAyrxwonru. May 10. 1887.


Noble Order of the knights Of Labor
(,chereper found Greeting:
BRos. SIR.-whereas, The Arm known as
the Great Western Stove Works, situated
at Leavenworth, Kansas, have united
themselves with the Manufacturer De-
Tense Association, the object as defined
in the preamble Of their constitution,
where IL says in Union there is strength,
the Iron Moulders, Union Of North Amer
lea Is formed upon a basis as broad as
the land in which we live, lies our only
hope. Single.handed We can accomplish
nothing, but united there is no power Of
wrong we cannot defend ourselves against;
nor can injustice be done to anyone; no
wrong that cannot be righted. There
cannot be any good reason why they
should not pay us a fair price for our
labor Their stale argument in every
attempt TO reduce wages Ia, their large ex-
penses and small profits will not warrant
the present prices, hence labor must suf-
fer. Men who could barely make living
must be content with less thereafter. The
consumer has to pay the same for his
wares. II IL noted fact the richer the
firms get the less they will pay for labor.
In answer we maintain that the expenses
are not unreasonable and the profits are
large, and in the aggregate there is no
just reason why we should not receive
fair equivalent for our labor. A small
reduction seriously affects the already
small wages of the Aaborer and puts
large sum in the employers pockets, yet
these bosses wish to appear charitable be.
fore the world (this firm in particularly.
For nm example: Some time ago they
paid 20 per cent on the dollar more for
their stoves than at present. They were
making money at that time; how much
more are they making now with the 20
per cent OIL The consumer pays the
same. We ask il il charitable. is II fair
to take from the laborer, who is already
fed, lodged aud clothed too poorly, and
deprive his family Of the necessares of
lifo by the common resort u reduction of
his wages! II must not be So to rescue
our trade from the condition toIwhich it
has fallen, and raise ourselves to that con-
dition in society to which we as mechan-
les are justly entitled, and place ourselves
ON foundation sufficiently strong to
secure us from further encroachments
and elevate the moral, social and intel
lectual condition of every moulder in the
country is the object of our association,
for which We ask hearty cooperation.
Whereas, The Great Western Stove
Works have been running n non.union
shop for sixteen years, have never been
molested, asked or coerced, nor have their
mon at any time been intimidated to be-
come members of labor organization,
not salts fled with this they allied them
selves with this Manufacturers Defense
Association, for the purpose of destroying
all labor organization and compelling
some firms who were satisfied with the
union To act with them in this outrage,
knowing full well that il they could sue
ceed they could then have their work done
for less money, rs they know that it is to
the union alone that, they are compelled
To pay something like what they pay III
Union shops. appeal to every honor
able man to take iup arms against this
firm, rs they have not only secretly dis
charged every. one whom they knew be-
longed To labor organization AS soon rs
they could replace him. but have now
openly declared that they would not en-
ployany one who belonged to these or
gunizations, and would Blacklist" those
who would not give them up and go to
work, as few--of their honorable men
have said that il this firm Join themselves
with this Defense Association, we as men
are compelled to join this labor organi-
lation in order to protect ourselves IN our
Just rights, Us self.protection is the first
law OF nature.
We ask. may, implorc you, for the honor
of your organization Ms well as ours, toI
stand 10y us, to unite with us, against this
trm who defy you to do your worst, who
are going 70 blacklist" your men and
compel every man to give up his princi-
pies, To compel him to work this accursed
berkshire system, which is not only de-
-troyiug our trade, but throwing upon the
market class of inferior work not one
iota better than prison made work, and
compelling the public to pay the same
as for legitimate work. As We understand
IL, We have tried all fair means for an hon
orablc settlement. IN fact, he had no use
for a union man nor have any conversa-
tion with u man who belonged to labor
organization.
Whereas, They have no use for any
man who belongs to any labor organiza-
tion, going to do all in their power to de-
stroy them, are going TO use the black
list" to prevent them from getting work
elsewhere. For the honor of your organ